For our September edition of Wound Research Voices, we are pleased to share a summary of a PhD thesis by Knaerke Soegaard from the Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark. The thesis focuses on pressure ulcers in people with spinal cord injury and was published in 2024. Knaerke Soegaard has also applied her expertise in this field through her valuable contributions to the recent EWMA Pressure Injury Recurrence Toolkit (2026).  

Abstract

Pressure ulcers remain a major challenge for people living with spinal cord injury (SCI). Their impact reaches far beyond the wound itself, affecting health, independence, participation and everyday life. In my PhD, I explored pressure ulcer prevention and treatment from different perspectives, with a particular focus on how we can provide better support for people with SCI across different healthcare settings and in their everyday lives. 
 
The PhD included three studies. The first was a scoping review exploring the transition from hospital or rehabilitation to home. It showed the importance of individualised education and follow-up, access to specialised expertise, appropriate equipment and continuity of care. The second study used qualitative interviews to explore the experiences of people living with SCI and pressure ulcers. Participants described the difficult balance between following recommendations for prevention and treatment while maintaining independence and living a meaningful life. They also described fragmented care and considerable variation in healthcare professionals’ knowledge and expertise.  
The third study focused on translating evidence into practice. We developed a Danish clinical practice guideline for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment in people with SCI, with 121 recommendations across 22 clinical topics, aimed particularly at healthcare professionals working outside specialised SCI services. 
 
Across the studies, one message stands out: good pressure ulcer care is about much more than the wound. We need to understand and address the causes of the pressure ulcer, but also the person, their priorities and everyday life. This calls for person-centred care, relevant expertise and continuity across healthcare settings, as well as practical ways of turning evidence into care that works in real life. 

List of publications:

Publications from the PhD thesis: 

• Søgaard K, et al. Scoping review on the transition from hospital/rehabilitation to home for people with spinal cord injury in relation to pressure ulcer prevention and management. Journal of Tissue Viability. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtv.2023.02.005 

• Søgaard K, et al. “I am just trying to live a life” – experiences of people with spinal cord injury and pressure ulcers. Journal of Tissue Viability. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtv.2023.11.009 

• Søgaard K, et al. Development of a clinical practice guideline for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers in people with spinal cord injuries inspired by the ADAPTE method. Spinal Cord. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-024-01051-z 
   

Related publications following the PhD 

• Williamson et al. Self-managed digital technologies for pressure injury prevention in individuals with spinal cord injury: a systematic scoping review. Spinal Cord. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-025-01113-w 

• Melin et al. Skin and tissue changes after spinal cord injury – A scoping review. Spinal Cord Series and Cases. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-026-00746-0